Ruling a Fairy Tale Kingdom

Erastus 21

Tuskgutter – Oleg sent a message to the trapper (Vekkel) and he’ll come by tomorrow

Tatzlewyrm – Oleg takes the head

Award granted of 100 gp each

The party sells the accumulated loot and splits the money: 112 gp, 7 silver, 5 copper

Erastus 22

Kaiden, Oweyn, and Ava travel to Bokken’s to pick up the potions.

Alexi, Gilain, and Leana are at Oleg’s when Vekkel arrives to bestow the reward for killing Tuskgutter. He provide a MW Longbow and 6 +1 Animal Bane Arrows.

We start brainstorming where the Stag Lord is based out of. Based on what the Boggard and the Kobolds said, the south and east of this area. Also the rumor mill mentions an abandoned monastery on the shores of the Tuskwater lake. Perhaps he is based on that structure.

We plan to travel down to 1418, ford the river (4.5 days of travel) and then search the northern shore of the Tuskwater.

Erastus 23 to Erastus 24

Erastus 25 – Hex 1418

Ava notices a flicker of light off something in the water at the ford. Alexi and Ava go to investigate while we continue across.

There are boards and nails wedged against a rock. Alexi sees a body in with the boards and starts to ‘dig’ it out. (looking for valuables)

Combat

3 x Undead Things (CR2) (100 each) = 300 xp each

They were waylaid and killed after torture. Less than a week ago. They were probably not from Brevoy – possibly traveling from River Kingdoms.

Kaiden digs a shallow grave for them and lays rocks over them.

Gilain thinks it was a wagon – a tinker wagon or blacksmith wagon.

This takes the rest of the half day.

Erastus 26

We travel to Hex 1518.

Camping that night, during second watch, Gilain hears faint echoes of voices – possibly chants or song that eventually fade.

Erastus 27

We start to search the Hex – we head in the general direction of the voices in the night. We notice a landmark in this hex. A clearing with a hillside with a wooden palisade at the top.

Alexi, Gillain and Leana cross the clearing with the wagon and some of the bandits start shooting at them and they start heading away towards our rendezvous point. Alexi starts shooting back.

Alexi manages to ‘tag’ one of them on the wall.

Oewyn goes back to the edge to observe. A man with ‘antlers’ is up there. After bout 30 minutes, there are 4 short horn blows (maybe to summon some patrols back). He waits 30 more minutes – no activity to follow us. Oewyn comes back and reports to the group.

We brainstorm our plan.

Set up a camp

Search for some trails and pick one

Set up an ambush on what we consider a likely to use one

Combat

Thanks to my, Alexi Litewska, brilliant plan our ambush went off flawlessly. The bear trap I concealed on the trail caught the first bandit and soon they were assaulted by arrows and crossbow bolts. After meeting Ava’s blade and Soldier’s jaws, the cowards fled only to be hunted down by my loyal dog.

6 CR 1/3

6 Longbows, 6 short swords, 6 leather armor, arrows, 60 GP

Afterwards we decided to assault the bandit fort at night, sneaking in as close possible by wading in the lake, the water up to our necks for concealment. We made it to the back of the fort without being discovered and noted that the ‘guards’ on the wall were fakes, helmets on sticks. However, before we could get to that wall we had to surpass a steep 60 foot incline.

Owen bravely volunteered to quietly climb up the hill to secure a rope for us to follow. He made almost to the top when he was attacked by four zombie like creatures that glided out of the earth, surrounding him. They struck him with hard blows and Owen retreated by diving off the hill and hitting the water. As he did so a Raven flew away. We were concerned the sound would cause an alarm, but the ‘guard’ that came to check reported “a bird knocked over some rocks.”

Strange.

Owen when he woke up reported seeing a depression just before he jumped off. He thinks it might be an entrance to an area under the fort. We decided to try for it the next night. We snuck back using the lake and ascended the less difficult incline. Like Owen the night before we were attacked by four zombie like creatures, only this time the intrepid hunter was not alone!

We dispatched the foul things easily enough and quickly hid. Only for four more of the zombies to erupt from the ground around us! And then another four! We dispatched these as well and it seemed that no alarm was raised. Yet, Owen noticed a figure on the wall watching us silently, perhaps the same person from before? An ally?

Sarenith 28 continued.
After the fight with the worms, we searched the rest of the area and rested. The night passed uneventfully. Oewin believes that the pair of worms were the apex predators in the area, thus the lack of other dangerous animals.

The morning was chilly, there was frost of the leaves. We decided to travel to an adjacent area to the west (hex 1516?). Oewin believes we will have snow tomorrow, even though it’s in the middle of the summer. More Fey magick at work it seems. Nothing happened along the way. We arrived in the new area and pitched camp, with extra firewood for the fire.

Snow arrived in the early morning making the ground soggy. Not enough to impair our travel but certainly making our company We began exploring. As we did so, our intrepid huntsman Oewin noticed the wildlife signs dwindling and then eventually grow silent.

Ominous.

Other than that nothing happened while we explored until we pitched camp. Snow continued to fall and the forest animals and insects continued to be absent or quiet. The next day while continuing the exploration we started to hear bird sounds again. Perhaps there is an area of unnatural silence, but caused by what? The snow was making the ground worse, more boggy, slowing our travel, but still traversable.

We came upon a clearing which was a deeper bog, six to twelve inches, which stank with foul water. Yet another fetid scent to add to my memories of this place. There was a noticeable mound about a 100 feet away. After some discussion, for some reason Oewin wanted to shoot it, we approached the mound, myself and Ava were mounted. About halfway, Leana sensed magic ahead, a lingering aura of a past spell or effect.

Nothing else happened until we reached the mound of snow. Gilain brushed off the snow and revealed the body of what at first appeared to be a horse, but after Gilain examined the body, determined to be a unicorn with its horn shorn off. Oewin circled around but did not find any tracks.

After some more discussion, we pulled out the unicorn body and stacked rocks over it to make a cairn. We continued onward and encountered another quiet area. From looking at a map we determined that there was a ring of quiet surrounded the bog where the dead unicorn lay. We decided to make camp outside of the eerie silence.

During my watch while watching the snowfall, I was amazed by its subtle beauty. It was as if the snow were tears and forest was crying in mourning of a death of a dear friend. The next day we traveled North to a new area (hex1414?). Oewin’s horse, in the lead, stepped on a patch of mushrooms which caused both Oewin and his mount to be engulfed by a cloud of spores. He was sick for a short time but suffered no other ill effects.

We avoided the rest of the mushrooms and continued on. We moved out of the snowy area and then found the body of a bear. It appeared that a hunter had partly dressed it but didn’t finish. No tracks were found. After using magic to make the meat fresh, we salvaged several days of meat from the body and moved on, pitching camp.

On Oewin’s watch he heard a loud croak, like a huge frog. He was cautious but did not raise the alarm yet when a frog like humanoid armed with a spear appeared out of the woods. Unfortunately neither shared the same language and Oewin’s warning alarmed the frogman and hostilities started. There was at least four of them, some attacked us, while others cut the horse lines. They also let loose frightening croaks.

A fierce fight followed but we were victorious, killing 3 of the frogmen and driving off the survivor. Ava and myself gathered up the horses and then returned to camp to rest. In the morning we felt stronger for our experience, Soldier actually seemed bigger. His barding certainly didn’t fit anymore.

We started to explore the area. We encountered a swarm of hornets, who flew around us but didn’t attack. Strangely they follow us for about four hours. After that, we entered a terrain that was filled with rabbit holes, which can be dangerous if stepped in. There were wolf howls that night hunting for food. A stag jumped into the camp, was scared by Ava’s shouting at it, bounced into the fire, flinging flaming logs, almost burning down the tent. Liana deflected it with her hair and the wolves did not attack, chasing the stag. Other than that, nothing occurred.

Continuing to explore the area the next morning and found a shrine with a fifthteen tall statue of Erastil. There was evidence of a burned down structure behind the statue and judging from the wood growth happened over a hundred years ago. We cleaned off the statue and made an offering of food to it. Because there was an aura around it that warded off hostile animals we deemed it a safe place to camp. After we cleaned the statue something happened, we were granted a boon, giving extra sharpness (keen) to our weapons for a week.

The night was peaceful.

The next morning we headed East towards the river (1413?). That day was uneventful as was the following night. The next day we began exploring around the aptly named Skunk River, which in this area was mire. We spotted a small ruin out in the middle of this morass. We found a camp spot for the horses and waded our way out to the site. When we approached we heard a familiar Crroooaaakkk. A frogman appeared on top of the structure. I also spotted something prowling around the bottom of the ruins.

The frogman, known as a Bogger, called for a truce.
We started a discussion with it, but the language barrier was difficult to bypass having no magic. The prowling thing was a “slurk” whom Owien fed to befriend it. Strangely, later we discovered that cousin spoke Bogger! He came with us for our next visit and spoke with the frog man in a disturbing display of croaks and ribbits. We found out his name was Garuum a refuge from his tribe. He was exiled after challenging the chief after being intoxicated after eating dragonfly innards. He avoided public execution by smashing his hand to slip out of the manacles.

We asked for and got a few mushrooms to examine. They were deemed edible but foul tasting.

After some negotiation we agreed to build a wooden palisade around his “kingdom” in exhanged for gold and gems. We spent spent six days doing this backbreaking, stinking, sweating work in a swamp. I am thrilled. Oh and because we weren’t pursuing our geas, we were plagued by nightmares. Yayyyy.

We were paid 210 GP and 50, 90, 25 gp gems.

After saying goodbye to Fort Boggard we continued on. Garumm informed us that the bandits came from the East. We followed the river upstream to the next area (1314?) with no encounters and the night was free from interference. We continued to follow the river to find the source of the Skunk River, a hot spring, explaining the rotten egg smell.

Before Ava and I could take much needed bath together we were attacked by giant frogs. We dispatched them and finally got our bath. We explored the next area to the West (1315?), back in the plains, which had nothing interesting.

Sarenith 9 continued – Hex 1216

We had found the abandoned temple of Erastil and fought the bear. He was a cursed person. His body reverted to a man then aged and crumbled to dust.

There is a pool of water with algae here, it became crystal clear. The background noise levels improved. It got warmer. The water pool had healing properties. 50 ft long, 20 ft wide, 3 ft deep.

We went up the stairs to enter the cave. It’s a natural like cavern. Their is a simple, but well made altar with some bones on it. We find a broken silver holy symbol. Kaidan picks up the symbol to take with him.

We remove the bones.

In another alcove, their is that was the bears ‘nest’. We think this shrine is over 100 years old.

We search the other alcoves. Gilain believes the priest was Taldin. Taldor’s last colonization was 300+ years ago.

North half a mile, Oewyn and Kaidan find an easier to ascend slope to the top of the large earth mound. They climb up and take a look around to determine what we can see.

When they return down to the group, Kaidan buries the bear’s bones inside the menhir in the south east corner.

We camp as we did not sleep the previous night. We spend the rest of the day light hours foraging.

We then make the camp again until morning.

Sarenith 10 – Start searching Hex 1216

Sarenith 11 – Complete searching Hex 1216

Sarenith 12 – Travel to 1117

On the way, 2 boars come out of the brush. Kaidan calls a halt and the two boars rush Kaidan.

Combat

2 x Boars (CR2) – 120 × 2 = 240 xp

We gut the boars and dress them out.

We camp for the night.

Sarenith 13 – Start searching Hex 1117

The next morning, we see a pony sized rabbit get startled by the barking of the dog and run away.

We find the river. No ford.

We camp. During first watch, Pervilash shows up guzzling Oweyn’s liquor. This is his home hex. In conversation, he shares what we would find on the other side. We take turns taking notes over the course of the night.

Sarenith 14 – Travel to Hex 1217 to Ford

Bandit camp has not been re-inhabited.

Camping – first watch hears wolf hours that grow in number then taper off.

Sarenith 15 – Travel to Hex 1118

Camping – normal night sounds.

Sarenith 16.5 – Travel to Hex 1018 – Olegs

Aeva Wyn introduces herself. Elusandrae Morningstar had mentioned our group. After some dialogue, we agree for her to join us. (Probationaly)

We seek out Jhod Kavken (Cleric of Erastil) at Oleg’s. We share our tale and give him the holy symbol. He would like us to escort him there.

We show the handaxe that had Breeg’s name and relay our “story”.

We do a party split and it is 120 gold and 8 silver.

Sarenith 17 – Travel to Bokken and back to Oleg’s – Hex 1019

Kaidan and Alexi pick up their potions and Kaidan puts in an order in for 4 more cure lights (at 37.5 gp)

Bokken Order

Kaidan – 4 x Cure Light Potions – Paid in Advance

Sarenith 18.1 – Travel to Hex 1017 and part of 1018

Camping out, we hear wolf sign, but not attacked. This is where the bear traps where.

Sarenith 18 – Travel to Hex 1016 – Forest

Sarenith 19 – Travel to Hex 1116 – Forest

We arrive in the hex we want to finish searching. Pervilash and Tig stop by for a visit as we head into this square.

Sarenith 20 – Complete second day of searching Hex 1116.

Find a tree that his it’s bark shredded from 9ft up to the ground. Bears are known to do this, but several of the marks are not from claws. Leana believes they are beak like – perhaps an Owlbear??

Sarenith 21 – Travel to Hex 1216 – Temple of the Elk

Jhod Kavken is happy to arrive here with us. The air is still warm here. We proceed with Jhod to enter Temple.

Upon entering, their is a strange feeling of entering a waking dream. The entire party comes to a halt and stares off into space except for Aeva. Aeva wakes Alexi with force.

In the dream – we are individually standing in the cave. The cave is lit. There are shelves and cots. I take a moment to adjust my robe and scarves and religious garments. I beckon to the bear to come forwards. It comes up and gets on the alter of stone. I look around and take a moment to make my hand stop shaking. Then start an invocation – the people in my care are falling to the forces arrayed against them. Nothing happens. Of course, why would something happen this time. I take my dagger and approach the bear. In a single gesture, I cut the bears throat saying – if you won’t help us, I offer this to anyone that would help. A burning sensation at my chest – the holy symbol is burning. I take it off and throw it to the ground. The lights begin to dim and the blood of the bear flows. My body starts to change and I’m becoming a bear. I wake from the dream.

Those of us that shared the dream, had the same dream.

Leana thinks that the Taldin colonization failed due to conflict. They were literally driven out.

Jhod believes Erastil wanted him to know he is not a lost cause. He has made mistakes. Before things happened, he was part of the church of Erastil in Galt (to the south). He did his best to assist villagers as was his teaching. Things went south when a villager was killed. It wasn’t part of the normal uprising/revolutions that Galt is used to. It was a murder. He took part in the investigation. There was a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th murder. They had a prime suspect. The conclusions pointed them to believe he was a werewolf. He and the towns people captured the individual and put him to death. The next day, a hunter killed an intelligent wolf. Later they found the suspect was a spy for a local bandit group. There was an investigation by the church. The fact that it was a bandit, saved him from excommunication. He accepted exile. During his exile, in Brevoy, he had the dream of this place. He will take time and meditate her.

He gives us a Scroll of Cure Moderate (CL4).

Sarenith 22 – Travel to Hex 1317

During the travel, one of the tree branches reached out and grabbed Kaiden and he get’s tangled up badly. It takes him a minute to untangle himself.

We continue our travel and search for a camp site. We find sod and thatch that is fallen in. We search the area. Oewyn find the hut was fully destroyed – but finds a nearby stream of fresh water.

We don’t hear wolves, but do hear boar sounds throughout the night.

During third watch, Oewyn and Soldier hear something breaking through the underbrush. A large hulking shape loops into the edges of the camp site.

Combat

1 x Owl Bear (CR3) – 134 each

As it crashes down and goes still, a thing – shambling mound moves in and latches on to the corpse of the owl bear.

1 x shambling mound

It consumes the owl bear..and then shambles off.

Some of us go back to sleep for the most part.

Sarenith 23 – Search Hex 1317 – 1st day

Lots of boars in the area. They are ‘calmer’.

One oddity, some of the topiary in this area has been sculpted in animal shapes – things we have seen so far in the forest.

We camp. We see a blue goat with a rhino horn during first watch.

Sarenith 24 – Search Hex 1317 – 2nd day

Oewyn finds a huge briar/bramble patch. Path tramples into – 100 ft in – massive topped tree. There is a big hollow under trunk. We unmount and cautiously move in.

We start to examine the den, when we hear the skittishness of the horses and realize a giant boar is at the bramble entrance. A fight ensues.

We defeat it. It was scary. Green stripe on it. Skinning the hide.

We go on to search the rest of the hex.

We camp for the night.

Sarenith 24 – Travel to Hex 1416

About half way through the day, the boar are less noticeable.

We camp for the night. During first watch, light snow watch and temperature drops.

After the first watch, 4 hours – there is 3 inches of snow.

Sarenith 25 – Search Hex 1416 (1st day)

In the distance, we hear a yowl. After a bit, we hear it over and over. Leana determines the direction it is in and we head in it’s direction. We spot tracks and follow them and spot a hole in the snow. Oewyn and Kaidan approach and the ground gives way. Oewyn falls in.

Combat

3 x Thylacine (CR2) x 100 = 300 xp

We continue searching the hex.

We find a lean to and the remains of a bones. We find a broken short bow and a dagger. We gather his bones and bury him.

We camp. During the second watch, the temperature starts warming and in the morning their is mud.

Sarenith 26 – Search Hex 1416 (2nd day)

During our search, we hear some yowls.

Sarenith 27 – Travel to Hex 1415

We encounter a swinging log trap that we spotted it before it got us. We safely triggered it.

Trap

1 x Swinging Log CR1 = 67 XP

We continue traveling and then camp for the night.

During 1st watch, Leana is on a circuit, she tripped on a groove that she was sure wasn’t there before. It remind Leana of a snake track. In the search, one of the bags has been opened.

2nd watch – Gilain spots a rut behind the tent. We check and don’t find any other sign.

3rd watch – Nothing of note.

The next morning, as we break camp, we find some sign on the other side of camp.

Sarenith 28 – Search Hex 1415 (1st day)

We find a ford towards the end of the day. Beaver dam. Their is a pungent scent of sulfur in the air.

One of the rivers in the area is called the Skunk river – it is fed by hot springs – which add the scent.

We notice debris and there is also some legs peaking out of a body.

We send the part of the party across to the dam. As Leana checks for magic, she detects some further out – from the body. Some debris shifts and combat starts. Leana determines it is a Tatzlwyrm.

Combat

2 x Tatzlwyrm (CR4) 100 × 2 +30 bonus = 230

We heal up. We secure the two heads.

The body is a skeleton – scale mail and finely crafted long sword.

Oewyn and Kedain make their way out there and assist in the search. There is a rotten bag that he carefully takes out. Several items of worthwhile. In a sealed bone scroll tube, is a parchment that looks like a partial map.

Using the map, we get the general path this deceased person traveled – he went west from Oleg’s then down into the forest. It will help us to map the hexes along the river.

Desnus 26 travel into forest hex 1016

Desnus 27 search part of hex.

Leana walks into bear trap, horse almost killed but saved. continue to search hex, brian almost walks into bear trap bit is stopped by sudden appearance of pervilash with warning. trapper has been setting them all through this region. time estimate was weeks ago. without checking on traps for such a long period, was deduced he wasn’t after meat or furs by doing so. Trap locations were also not only along animal trails, but also places where hunters would hide. decision was made to try to find and clear them all out for general safety.

Desnus 28 search of hex continued.

trying to extrapolate a pattern from teh found traps to help in finding others delayed completion

Sarenith 1 completed hex search

successfully discovered all the traps(or the vast majority)

Sarenith 1.5 travel into plains hex 1015

something flew over the campsite that night, but those on watch did not get a good look. part of a dead goat was found outside camp in morning

Sarenith 1.5 – 2.5 search hex

something flew over camp during night again without a clear look. another dead goat partial carcass found come morning

sarenith 3 travel into plains hex 1014

repeat of the night encounter and morning discovery

Sarenith 4 search hex

discovered abandoned cairn in blackberry bush bramble. dug it up. found magic ring(swimming) ID’d as part of a Set repeat of previous night encounter.

Sarenith 4.5 travel into plains hex 1115

sarenith 5 search hex

had last dead goat morning discovery. believe those 3 hexes are claimed as ‘territory’ by whatever it was

sarenith 6 travel into forest hex 1116

swarm of fireflies sweeps into camp that night, covers Oweyn and Soldier head to toe. seems to be attempting to lead him out of camp. he did not go. dispersed at morning.

Sarenith 7 start search hex

Strong wind out of nowhere blows through party. tree knocked over by the force blocks trail then wind dissipates quickly again. use horses to drag tree out of way, discover pair on unhappy wolverines by the tree. wild empathy fails. during battle they eat Oweyn and Alexi’s faces.

Sarenith 8 continue search hex

discovered log dead fall with dead man beneath it. examination shows legs crushed and died of starvation. masterwork axe in tree nearby had ‘Breeg’ scratched into the handle. tentative ID as the missing trapper from rumors. Investigating site discovered the rope holding the dead fall had been cut through.

26th day of Gozrah (Starting in Hex 1419) Continued

The chief takes the statue. Chief Sootscale raises the statue over his head. The kobolds murmur and cheer. He then smashes the statue on the ground and the kobolds freeze. “My curse is free. These new comers will now help us destroy the usurper.” Alexi thinks there was an edge of uncertainty in the chief’s words. In draconic, the chief says “Death to Tartuk”.

The kobolds lead us towards a new area. Gilain and Kaiden lead the way past a pool of water and into a room. Once there, they hear some spell casting and a kobold shimmers into view. Waves of fear roll over Gilain and combat ensues.

After a zesty fight where Leana and Kaidan were knocked out. As the shaman fell, he said “Finally”.

The chief moved over and beat the corpse. He says “Too all outside this room, I delivered the killing blow”. Alex says, “He was still twitching.”

The chief will honor our agreement. We will get to keep any trinkets the shaman had.

We search the body and the pile of trinkets. We find his journal written in an indecipherable language.

Combat

1 x Tartuk (Kobold Shaman) – 240 xp

We forge the start of a relationship with the Sootscale kobolds (we left the copper and silver from the mound) and presented the small cold iron sickle to the chief to seal the relationship.

We have a party and sleep the night at their camp. We set watches.

27th day of Gozrah (Starting in Hex 1419)

We level to 2 over night. It is moderate rain fall today. Leana uses some magic to read Tortuk’s journal. It gives us insight into his story. He was a reincarnated gnome with suicidal tendencies.

We leave their camp and start the search of the hex.

Another feature of the hex is a crumbled tower in a hillside. Probably build around the same time as the mine.

28th day of Gozrah (Starting in Hex 1419)

We finish searching the hex.

1st day of Desnus (Starting in Hex 1419)

We travel to Hex 1319 (Old Sycamore). It’s still raining.

2nd day of Desnus (Starting in Hex 1319)

First day of searching Hex 1319. The Mites have not re-inhabited it the Old Sycamore.
Oweyn forages for food while we search the hex.

That night during 2nd watch something is moving in the shadows and is getting ready to pounce on Kaidan when Gilain notices and attacks him.

Combat

1 x Medium size dog/cat (marsupial carnivore) Thylesine

It was malnourished and might have been more aggressive due to that.

3rd Day of Desnus (Starting in Hex 1319)

Second day of searching Hex 1319.

4th day of Desunus (Starting in Hex 1319)

Travel plans are to go back to Oleg’s via 1216, 1119, 1018 (Oleg’s). it will take 2 days.

7th day of Desnus (Starting Hex 1119 – Fangberry Grove )

We approach the grove. Alexi and Kaiden get in their swarm suits and lead the party as they head into the grove – cutting and hacking.

Combat
1 x Spider Swarm (CR1) 80 xp each

We clear a path to center of the grove and spend time harvesting. It takes us 1.5 hours to gather berry’s. We gather a sack for Bokken and an extra handful for the group.

This took us half a day.

We explore half the hex for the rest of the day.

Fangberry are an alchemical item – they add +1 level to the final result for potions.

8th day of Desnus (Starting Hex 1119 – Fangberry Grove)

We spent half the day searching this hex to complete it. We start our travel towards 1320.

9th day of Desnus

Travel through Hex 1219

10th day of Desnus (at Hex 1320)

We arrive after a half day of travel to Hex 1320. There is an immediate feature noticeable – a wrecked river crossing. We will spend the rest of the day exploring that. It’s 100 ft across. There is a sign – “Nettles Crossing – 5 cp – Ring bell” Rusty bell is nearby. We had hear a rumor of a haunted, wrecked bridge crossing.

Leana sweeps the area with detect magic and Kaidan rings the bell.

Some of the wreckage on the river is shifted about and a figure steps up onto the water with a ranseur and starts walking towards us across the water.

Gilain calls out to him as he approaches “Hello Nettle”. It makes eye contact with him.

Nettle says in an soggy, eery voice, “You are not my tormentor. Throw the body of the one known as the Stag Lord in my waters.” We decide to honor this request.

We look around a bit.

11th day of Desnus (at Hex 1320)

Spend this day searching the half of the hex on this side of the river.

12th day of Desnus (at Hex 1319)

Travel through Hex 1319.

13th day of Desnus (at Hex 1319)

We travel to Hex 1418.

14th day of Desnus (at Hex 1418)

We spend the day exploring half the hex. The three way split of river ways is here. The mid-point isn’t that deep – 3 ft but 200 ft wide. It will function as a ford.

We camp away from the river that night.

On second watch that night – a cascading pebbles and gravel from a nearby hillside. Gilain investigates and finds cloven tracks.

15th day of Desnus (at Hex 1418)

We search the other sides of the tri-river sides. We see lots of boar sign – small packs – 1-2 males, some females and piglets.

16th day of Desnus (at Hex 1418)

Travel to Hex 1417 and make camp. No immediate land mark in that hex.

We see a large sounder of pigs (counting 5 males in the herd and a dozen female and young).

17th day of Desnus (at Hex 1417)

We start searching the hex. We find a black hill. It’s a dead hill with nothing growing on it. Around the other side is another black hill. We go around it and there is another black hill. Hmm.

Leana notices the hills are in a clump of 8-9 hills forming a circle. We build a camp. Oweyn and Soldier stay behind there and Alexi takes Socks and we travel over one of the hills. There is a smaller hill inside the ring. It is a vibrant green. Hmm. Fae magic can involve circles and rings.

Gilain hears a crunch as he steps. He looks down and he has turned up some bones. Hmm. That is a deer. Boar bones. Bear bones. Humanoid bones. If the entire grassy area is full of bones – it is 400 ft across.

Part of the hill seems to move, something the size of a horse with many legs lunging at Kaidan. Spidery in form. Then it ducks back into the earth.

Combat

1 x Giant Trap Door Spider (CR1) 80 xp each

Kaiden is weakened from poison. We open the trap door – there is a tunnel. Leana detects magic and determines their is a faint transmutation aura.

We secure a rope to Socks pommel and tied to Gilain and goes down the tunnel. It’s 25 ft down. Pile of corpses. Gilain notes some are fresher than others (humanoids). One of the bodies has a silver amulet (Stag) and a backpack. Leather armor. Short Sword. 10 gp. Note.

Medium transmutation magic on the bottom of hole.

There are green mushrooms under the next body. Hmm. Seems their is a mushroom ring at the bottom of the hole.

Alexi notices a green stripe on the trap spider’s body.

Maybe ask our friend TigTuggerTuk and Pervilash about the ring and the green stripe.

The note has a drawing on it. Perhaps a map drawing.

We continue searching half the hex. We camp for the night. We hear alot of boars and deer. Leana believes the hill is a lure of the fauna in the area.

22nd day of Desnus

Travel to 1019 (Bokken). We turn in a bottle of juice of fang berry’s.

He extends a discount offer (25% off). He will sell us potions at a cost break for the next 4 weeks.

We put an order in to pick up in 2 weeks.

2 x cure light for Kaidan (paid)

2 x cure light for Alexi (paid)

We write up the order post it in his hut. He tells us a story about “that day” when the weather turns when he lost his finger. “bastard cut it off of me the last time he hit my mother. Desna rest her soul. He took off to live in a hollow tree down south to avoid the guard.” He had thought about tracking him down to get revenge.

If we find a hermit guy living in a hollow tree, we can bring Bokken word.

23rd day of Desnus

We travel back to Oleg’s.

Oleg has word on the Kobold situation/reward. They rewarded us with 800 gp. 160 gp each.

23rd day of Gozrah

We cross the bridge to the other side of bridge to search the rest of this hex (1318). We set up a safety rope across and it takes the rest of the day to search this hex. We set Alexi’s mount Socks to guard the rest of the mounts we leave behind.

Gilrain comes across the remains of an old campsite not to far from the bridge. The site is probably about a week old. Scratching and rocks set up like a map of the area. With the landmarks shown, we are able to finish searching this hex by night fall and make it back to our campsite.

That night all three watches hear the sounds of wild pig out in the darkness.

24th day of Gozrah

We travel east to hex 1319. This are is slightly higher than the rest around it. We see a massive tree on one of the highest hilltops. Titanic Sycamore.

We will need to explore that in the morning.

During the first watch, Alexi hears a crashing noise and a yelp in the distance. He wakes Gilain up first. Leana wakes Oweyn and he hears the sounds of combat from several hills away. Oweyn is able to mark the direction towards the sounds. Everyone is woken and we head towards the site of the fighting. It takes us about 15 minutes to get there. There was a skirmish between about 10 combatants. There is a body of a kobold here. Two sides fought and prisoners were taken. Reptilian feet and booted feet (all size small).

We look for where the tracks head and they seem to go in the direction of the big hill with the tree. Parts of the kobold were carved out (sweet meats).

We head back to our camp and go back to sleep with the watches going. The rest of the night is peaceful.

25th day of Gozrah

We head for the titanic sycamore on the hill taking our mounts, but leaving our camp ground (wagons) behind.

It takes us about 2 hours to get there. It’s over 100 ft tall. We get there and picket the horses with Socks guarding them.

The base of the tree is a massive tangle of roots. Leanna and Markeesh notices a hollow in them. There is a root lined shaft that drops 10 ft down.

We decide to explore it. 40 ft then it forks. We go left. It opens up into a room and a blue creature. A fight opens up.

Combat

1 x Mite (Bluebell)

2 x Giant Centipedes

Leanna used a use from the healing kit to help Gilain stave off the poison.

We search the area. There is a grinder and paste here. Leanna figures this gulash of kobold and mice. This area was a nursery for Giant centipedes.

We move on to another passage and after a bit – we come to a break in the passage in to a chamber – it is full of clutter – beds – wagon wheels – 6 Mites.

During the ensuing fight some of the Mites retreat into another chamber and we fight a Mite mounted on a Giant Tick and more Mites.

Combat

10 x Mite

1 x Giant Tick

1 x GR

Some Mites retreat from this fight into another room. They cross a chasm and get away for now.

On the table, are sticks and stones as a map. It covers more than this hex – probably another lair (maybe the Kobolds) are at. The papers have scribbles – Kaidan believes they are skirmish results.

There is an ivory statue and a sack with some coin.

While we are searching the room, Gilain comes running into the room shouting about a giant bug. Following him into the room is a Giant Whiptail Centipede.

Combat

1 x Giant Whiptail Centipede

We defeat it, but are bloodied. We heal up some and then go back a room (with the detritus) and search it.

There are over 30 beddings here. We then return back to were the fork occurs and go right.

We come to a chamber with some Mite’s in it.

Combat

3 x Mites

One Mite retreats to the next area. We follow and enter another combat.

Combat

9 x Mites

This egg shaped cavern has tangled into the roots are kobolds. One of the bodies dangling is alive.

Leanna uses a healing hex to revive him and we have try to have a dialogue.

MekMik is his name and he speaks in common. He was on a quest to recover the ivory statue for his tribe. We give it to him.

We have cleared this facility.

It will take at least a day to get to MekMik’s tribe (a hex over). We return to the horses and then to the camp.

We travel towards hex 1419 and camp for the night just inside it. We are not disturbed during our watches.

26th day of Gozrah (Starting in Hex 1419)

The next morning we make our to the lair of the kobolds – MikMek proposes that no one likes the Shaman – would like to return the statue to the chief then have us kill the Shaman.

We approach the lair. We have Socks guard our mounts and we follow MikMek. It is an excavated tunnel with a sign with faded lettering. MikMek greets some of the kobolds and we continue inwards – avoiding pits they point out.

We pick up kobolds along the way with the group and come to a common room (30 × 25) – there is a brilliant deep purple colored kobold – the chief. MikMek presents the statue to the chief. The chief calls for silence and looks around (probably for the Shaman).

We offer to help him restock and he would like Fang Berry’s. In the next hex south. There may be some spiders – the best berry’s are in the middle.

Some of us notice, he is missing a pinky on his right hand.

We spend an hour with him and travel to the next hex.

We spot some birds circling (Oweyn thinks they are raven or crows) and we go to investigate. There is an unlit funeral pyre with a body on it. The body’s clothing has more of a tribal feel of them.

There are track remnants from one individual that constructed it. The body died from a skull fracture – blunt. Male – adult. We light the pyre.

We journey on until night fall and set up camp..there is the Fang Berry briar patch.

We use our normal watch order.

Clear weather – but the wind picks up. The night is relatively quiet.

12th day of Gozran

There is a long thin valley that winds between the hills – packed with thorns. We can see spider webs dusted over it as well. We break a path towards the center of the patch.

Oweyn, Soldier, Leana, Kaiden notice the spiders just before they swarm.

Combat

1 x Spider Swarm

We retreat and decide to come back here another time. We spend the rest of the day mapping hex and re-use our camp site.

13th day of Gozran

Half a day to travel there and half a day to explore half the hex. Oweyn and Kaiden notice fresh wolf tracks (within the past day or two) – no more than 3.

Set up camp. We find a terrain oddity as we search for a campsite – in a copse of trees – tarp stretched between three.

During watch 1, wolves howl in the distance.
During watch 2, there wolves howl closer – Kaiden realizes they are very close and nudges Alexi awake.

Combat

3 x Wolves

We kill two wolves and the last runs off.

Oweyn notices something odd about the wolves – they have fur discoloration – green stripes on each wolf.

Kaiden skins the wolves to take skins and will use the meat for a stew the next day.

We go back to sleep with watches.

14th day of Gozran

We spend half the day completing the search on the hex.

A stone pyre with a burned skeleton – very old.

The rest of the day we travel into the Hills to the south west (in the Kamelands).

On the way, we notice a jagged boulder that seems unusually jagged. We find a thin gravel covering over a recessed hold – 6 days of rations.

We search for a campsite. There are echoes of thunder from far off and the wind has not fallen off. We shift to another camp based on the possible rainfall we’ll get. Rain falls that night and most of the next day.

During Watch 1 – nothing happens.
All watches pass uneventfully.

15th day of Gozran

It takes a full day to search half this kind of hex.

Leana spots a cairn from a distance – it’s more like a cylinder as we get closer – was a well. It’s collapsed. There are remains of a cabin made from stacked flat rocks. Been here for years. We search the remains and don’t find anything else.

We camp here. That night, Kaiden has a dream – at a farmstead with people he doesn’t know – his kids are destroying stuff – so he’s chasing them around – thunder sound – but the married couple there reacts with alarm and run inside – then a cluster of horseman came around and were bearing down on his children – then he wakes up.

16th day of Gozran

We search the rest of this hex (#1219). We are winding our way through a valley when a low tremor shakes the region. Clatter of rocks. Some of us avoid it, some don’t. We spend an hour recovering.

17th day of Gozran

We travel back to Oleg’s. That evening we get back. Jhod appraises us and asks after the bear and temple. No sign yet.

Kaidan and Alexi’s gear have arrived. Oweyn mends the shield and Alexi will hold onto it.

We ask about any hides with green stripes – Oleg does see them every so often – not sure what it means if anything.

We give Oleg the pelts.

Oleg Orders

Alexi and Kaidan put in orders for two Swarmsuits (both marked the gold off).
Oleg orders 4 x Oil of Magic Weapons (Oweyn x2, Alexi, and Kaiden). (marked off the gold)
Oleg is looking to order three scrolls for Leana.
Oweyn sells his mount and paraphernalia to Oleg.
Alexi and Kaidan orders a military saddles (marked off the gold)

We buy two of his flasks of alchemist fire and request he put in an order to have more on hand.

Svetlana has a new rumor to share – a jittery fellow – got food supplies – thinks he might have been an ex-bandit due to his jitteriness – the stag’s head amulets – he mentioned the bandits being more organized with a leader – The Stag Lord – dressed in animal bones.

18th day of Gozrah

Travel across the planes to the Kamelands (Hex 1218).

As we search for a campsite, we find a dead tree with wind chimes that hang from each branch – about 100. Gilain believes they are local tribal in nature. A weather prayer.

During third watch – Oweyn and Soldier notice the horses stir and wake up. Bandits are trying to steal our horses.

Combat

3 X Bandits – Horse thieves

One of them surrenders and the others were killed. We take their equipment.

Alexi questions the prisoner. Remnants from Kressle’s bandit group. He’s never met the Stag Lord, but Kressel had traveled to meet him somewhere in the south. They were gone for a week or more. A few days before we ransacked the camp, they had their supplies raided by mites. Small sized, fae type. similar to goblins – not fire oriented – mostly head – nocturnal. Vulnerability to cold iron. Prestidigitation at will.

We collect 3 more sets of bandit ears.

We set up the large tent.

20th day of Gozrah

We finish searching this hex (1218). At the bottom of the crag is a 5 ft crack that leads to a cave. Oweyn noticed some traces of a hooved pig tracks. The cave descends at a steep incline. Comes into a 30 ft chamber. This could be a natural gold seam.

We camp for the night.

21st day of Gozrah

Oweyn predicts high winds today.

We travel to hex 1318 south west of where we were and look for a place to camp. We find a natural greenery – strawberry patch.

We camp for the night. During third watch, Oweyn hears some animal noises – nothing out of the ordinary. His whiskey is gone the next morning.

22nd day of Gozrah

We search half this hex. The sides of the river have thick brambles and is 60 ft wide.

Session XP

2nd day of Gozran

The next morning, when the group is breaking camp, at some point in the night, a skunk had climbed into Gilain’s backpack for shelter. He get’s sprayed.

Oewyn and Kaiden calm the horses before they bolt from being agitated by the smell.

Dorrin – captured bandit

The bandit camp is by the river. More of a gather spot, not really a fortification. Two tree platforms as sentry posts.

It takes about half the travel day to get to the hex where we believe the bandit camp to be. Oewyn scouts 60 ft ahead with Soldier.

Currently spotted – 1 in a platform – 2 in the camp – one man sharpening an axe and a woman.

Dorrin says the other platform is on the other side of the river.

We come up with a plan to attack the camp and we enact it.

Combat

3 x Bandit

1 x Kressel

We defeat them and then recover our mounts. Two of the horses are missing (Dorrin’s and Kaidan’s).

When we loot Kressel, in her possessions is a silver stag head amulet. She survives the fight, but is unconscious.

Oewyn goes on overwatch while we loot the camp. There are perhaps 8 or so more bandits out foraging.

We heal Kressel up to question her. She in unresponsive and then Kaidan beheads her.

We recover 4 set’s of bandit’s ears.

We load the loot up and move to another location to unload it and set a base camp to search from. We make a base camp.

That night, during second watch – at midnight – they hear a wood pecker, then another further away, then a third. To Gilain, it keeps the same pace – after about a dozen of them, they stop, and then the forest sounds quiet down. We wake the others and nothing happens. They go back to sleep and the watches finish out completely without further incident.

3rd day of Gozran

The next morning, Kaidan’s bow is unstrung and hanging from a branch near to the camp. Hmm. Something is playing tricks on us. We load up the pack animals instead of leaving it and plan to take 2 days to search the hex.

We search half the hex.

The Thorn River is 60 ft across – 30 ft deep.

That night – we find a great camp site.

The bandit camp counts as a ford to the next hex.

4th day of Gozran

We search the rest of the hex.

That night at camp, Oewyn hears wolf howls on his watch. They howls are getting closer, but nothing comes of it. When we are breaking camp, we find tracks circling the camp several time. Oewyn would guess there are a dozen in the pack.

5th day of Gozran

Travel back to the campsite with the cairn as a base camp, but we are still taking stuff with us.

We search half the hex. We find an odd local plant. A single one. Moon Radish. Possibly a larger patch nearby. Tasting it, it has a medium heat. Could be used in food preparation.

The underbrush is disturbed more than normal in this area – animal tracks – more lizard tracks (perhaps Tatzel Worms or Kobolds)

We find a campsite and get ready for night watches. We leave one of the bottles of liquor out for the fae as an offering.

During the first watch, a swarm of rabbits rushes through the camp and out the other side. In 20 seconds, they are gone and so is the bottle.

On second watch, Kaidan hears the bushes rustle – a herd of young dear gallop through the camp – like 50.

On third watch, nothing happens.

7th day of Gozran

We search the rest of the hex. We find a moon radish patch – half an acre. It looks natural – there are animal tracks – we find more of the reptilian tracks – in the middle of the patch, are three huge baskets.

Kaidan asked about the bandit Dorrin who stole his horse. Headed east at a break neck speed.

Oewyn asks about any other bigguns giving them problems. Some of the party spot Tig give Perlivash a subtle look. “Nope.”

Alex asks about the Tatzel Worms – “seeing is believing”

We open relations with them. Seek to be good neighbors. If we come back, if we share some drink and he’ll guide us to points of interests and some the hazards.

Hmm. Turns out the wolves track around our camp – wasn’t them.

Gnomes, Elves, Druids don’t last long here – they get too uncomfortable here and leave.

Leana asks about a Raven with Three Eyes – they don’t know anything about that.

We start making our way back to Olag’s Trading Post hex. Once we get to the edge of the forest, the fae leave us.

We head to Olag’s. As we arrive that evening, there are guards on the walls. No distinctive livery.

(NOTE: Remember to ask the fae about the wedding ring)

Of note, the temperature is about 10 degrees warmer here than in the woods.

We meet with Oleg and Svetlana.

Svetlana let’s us know another affect Moon Radishes it is a preservative.

We leave 2 baskets of moon radishes with Svetlana.

They have 4 guards here now. The leader is named Kesten Garesh. Alexi remembers his name from a scandal – he’s a member of House Garesh – he’s been cut off – an affair with a low born woman – Tania – weaver. Last heard, he had traveled south to Restov.

Oewyn goes through the ‘loot’ to see if Oleg wants to buy any.

Olag gives us a small bag of coins (50 gp) and 3 potions. ( 2 cure light and 1 shield of faith +2)

After selling, the party split is 192 gp, 3 silver, 6 copper. We trade the bow for another 300 gp split to 60 each.

Kaidan orders a Chain Shirt for delivery within about a week. (marked off 100 gp)
Alex orders parade armor barding for his mount (Brevoy: House Satova)

Kaidan gifts 20 gold to Oleg (after offering to Svetlana who politely refused) go help get them on their feet.

Kesten Garesh pulls Alexi aside. He’s looking for a Varisian Bandit name Falgrum Snead. He ran with Kesten’s group for a bit – robbed them and bolted. Preferred alive – but willing to take his head. Could be worth a couple favors back from the smiths back “home”. Get us some better weaponry. (4 x MW weapons if alive, 2 MW if dead)

Kaiden arranged for Oleg to send the other basket of Moon Radishes to Quiznost Hufflegem with a missive detailing the qualities we have found out so far.

Rumours that Oleg has gathered

Two of the other locals had been chatting about bandits – mentioning silver stag amulets – perhaps they below to a debased cult dedicated to a hideous animal demon.

One of the local trappers, Breeg Orlavanch, while he wasn’t a hard scheduled stop over – he’s missed two windows of his normal cycle. He had been going to the forest for his trapping. He might have given up trapping and joined the bandits.

To the SE of the Shrike River, there used to be a bridge crossing – ruined by bandits – it’s haunted by the bridge keeper.

9th day of Gozran

We search Oleg’s hex. Takes one day – planes Hex. There is a traveler at Oleg’s when we return.

Middle Aged man named Jhod Kavken. He approaches our group. He’s a hunting cleric of Erastil. In general, he will base himself in the area. He’ll be willing to help us out.

While we are traveling around, he is interested in one or more long lost temples of Erastil in the area. If we find one guarded by any angry bear, he would be very interested. (Hmm. Oewyn finds that to be an unusually specific request, perhaps I should ask about that later).

Session XP – 501 xp

Restov Expedition

The party was assigned to be together as one of four groups yesterday and spent the rest of the day getting ready for the gala the next day

Gala – Josef Solamanis

small gathering – 300 some odd

Introduction of the four groups

Political speeches – 2 hours

Mingling

Four Group

First Group

Iori Sulamis – Grandson of ..

Handpicked retainers

Second Group

Hannis Drelov and fiance

Relative of the fiance – Wizard

Third Group

Megar Varn – third son noble

Burly Viking

Priestly

His daughter

Group 4

Kaidan (and the party)

We have been assigned on of four areas.
Goals:

Quell the banditry

Map the area

Letter of Mark provided for Greenbelt. It’s spring and we need to be done by winter (about 6 months).

Mingling

Oewyn Fletcher – Encounter with young lady clothed in gold – hits on her – Analise Turnkey – Abadarian – conversation is outdoors oriented – sadly comes to the realization that she is more interested in recruiting him for a bonus task – willing to front him some additional support – and depending on what is returned – more on completion. The Church of Abadar is interested in trade and would like a copy of the maps sent to the church when completed. Pleasant small talk for an hour then moves on to another group. Her support will arrive in the morning.

Leana Mistborn – Trying to avoid conversation – starts chasing familiar – someone picks Markeesh up – Alusandre Morningstar – middle aged man with a sword. He is a retired member of one of the sword schools. He is a Magus. He is interested in magical sites, practitioners, places of power. He would be a sponsor.

Kaiden Blackwolf – colorful little fellow – Gnome Quiznos Hufflegem – as a merchant he is interested things that would be regional specialties – exotic goods. He would be a sponsor as well and provide some bonus support in the morning.

Alexi Litewska – has an encounter with a Retavani Noleska – by chance have you served in one of the orders up north? – Bonus job – pursuing hobby – fan of history – the records in the region / non survive – collector of relics – if Alexi finds things, then Retavani will buy them.

Gilain Ironforge – encounter with a thug who leads him to a boss – Kabrain Redeye – a bit of a merchant – (big orc) – missing a nose – replaced with gold plate – he’s looking out to find out what we find – resources – precious metals – natural resources. He’ll give Gilain the help he needs. More practical with his assistance. We’ll be better equiped by him.

Around midnight, enough people have drifted that the gala comes to an end.

Over dinner Kaidan inquires about any bandit issues. “Didn’t you get our missives?” Olig storms off. She goes to check on him and then comes back.

About 3 months ago, they were confronted by bandits who threatened to burn down the outpost. They had to turn over all their goods. They threatened other things. They have shown up every month. They tend to arrive within an hour of sunrise. (possibly within a days travel). The first time the showed up – about a dozen. Two of note – a woman with 2 axes and a cloaked man with a bow. She had a dark sense of humor and did most of the talking. The woman almost cut off Olig’s hand in a bit of cruel playfulness. Took Svetlana’s wedding ring. The second visit was the hooded guy with the bow and with a half dozen then four on the third trip

The adventure log is where you list the sessions and adventures your party has been on, but for now, we suggest doing a very light “story so far” post. Just give a brief overview of what the party has done up to this point. After each future session, create a new post detailing that night’s adventures.

One final tip: Don’t stress about making your Obsidian Portal campaign look perfect. Instead, just make it work for you and your group. If everyone is having fun, then you’re using Obsidian Portal exactly as it was designed, even if your adventure log isn’t always up to date or your characters don’t all have portrait pictures.